Apple Stores Get Interactive With iBeacon System

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) revealed that it has started using its iBeacon micro-location technology at all of its 254 U.S. stores today, reports theAssociated Press. The Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled iBeacon system will add an interactive dimension to Apple users’ shopping experiences in the Apple Store.

Users can access the system’s features by downloading and activating the Apple Store app and giving Apple permission to track your location and send notifications. Once a user enters one of the Apple Stores, the app automatically switches to an “in-store mode.” The app will then provide information based on a user’s specific location inside the Apple Store.

For example, if a shopper is walking by an iPhone display, they may get a message about their upgrade availability or receive an alert about a special trade-in offer. The app could also inform users about additional features or pricing of a product based on their proximity to it. The Bluetooth-based technology allows the iBeacon system to more accurately pinpoint a user’s location in the store than GPS can.